In Eckleburg's Eyes - 9/23/2008

On Monday night, I went to a basketball game and a concert.

For the third consecutive week, my church league basketball team lost by six points or less. We rebounded from an abysmal 10-point first half (we trailed 16-10) to lose 43-37. It is at the halfway point of the regular season and the team is the only unvictorious team in the league.

We also had a major roster change (pun intended). SRM has a baby due and has played his last game. In his place, JBT’s older brother, Josh, filled the eighth spot on roster and played well.

Despite having more depth than our opponents (eight players to six), we failed to capitalize. We did not score on many breakaway opportunities in which we had a clear numbers advantage. For the second consecutive game JTL (shooting a free throw in this picture) led the team in scoring, hitting three three-point field goals amongst other baskets. The play of the game (as chosen by me) was made by SH when he hustled to slow a three-on-one breakaway. No word yet on who he will select to be featured in next week’s devotional.

Last week’s play of the game was made by JDM and he selected the devotional topic of Ron Harper. Harper is one of five players to win multiple NBA championships on multiple teams. He won each of his championships playing past his prime because he found his niche, playing defense and hitting spot up jump shots. I challenged the group to find their role in a church. The Scriptural basis for this segment was I Corinthians 12:12-14.

After the game, I joined SMA and WRK at the Bijou Theatre. On this night, Jenny Lewis was opening for Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band. They had played the legendary Ryman Audotorium in Nashville the previous night.

Jenny Lewis is a California native and former child actress who is the front person for the band Rilo Kiley. I heard the band when they were in Knoxville for Sundown in the City on June 2, 2005. Her solo album Acid Tongue was to be released the day after the concert.

The 5'1" redhead was fantastic. She sang, danced, played the guitar and piano. Her energy was infectious. Her five accompanyists were also great. She played mostly from her own catalog including some songs from her new album. She also covered Nazareth’s “Love Hurts”. She closed with the song “See Fernando”. I was disappointed that there was no encore, but such is the life of an opening act.

Being tired and having little familiarity or interest in the headliners, I went home. Other than another defeat on the court, it was a great day.